CSA LOI - NYSED · 2019-04-10 · LETTER OF INTENT TO APPLY Charter School of the Arts. I. Applicant Group Information: a. Applicant Group: See attachment- Table . I . See attachments-Attachment

23456789HI6JK6LMNNMO6PQ6JRNMRN CDEFGEHIJ4564567489J:J;FHFGEHIJ4564?67489

@F>FABFGACDJGDHCDIFGACD

SMT69UUVWXYRN6ZOP[U\6YR]6I^W\NWRZ6I][XYNWPR6_POUPOYNWPR\6WRNMOM\NM]6WR6\[àWNNWRZ YR6YUUVWXYNWPR6NP6M\NY`VW\b6cMZMRN\dY[NbPOWeM]6XbYONMO6\XbPPV\6YOM6Y\fM]6NP6XPaUVMNM NbW\6ÒWMQ6WRQPOaYNWPR6\bMMNg6hbM6iMUYONaMRN6TWVV6[\M6NbW\6WRQPOaYNWPR6NP6UVYR6YR] XPPO]WRYNM6UMMO6OMjWMT6UYRMV\6TWNb6YUUOPUOWYNM6MÛMONW\M6NP6MjYV[YNM6YVV6YUUVWXYNWPR aYNMOWYV\g

7VMY\M6WR]WXYNM6TbMNbMO6Y6SMT6UUMOYNPO69UUVWXYRN6VOP[U6WTbWXb6]PM\6RPN6PUMOYNM6Y cMZMRN\dY[NbPOWeM]6XbYONMO6\XbPPV6PO6]PM\6RPN6PUMOYNM6YRX6\XbPPV\6X[OOMRNVXY6PO6YR I^W\NWRZ6I][XYNWPR6_POUPOYNWPR6WTbWXb6PUMOYNM\6PRM6PO6aPOM6cMZMRN\dY[NbPOWeM] XbYONMO6\XbPPV\Y6W\6\[àWNNWRZ6NbW\6cP[R]646LMNNMO6PQ6JRNMRNg

JEKJL>EDFGCDJE>>FABFDGJMDC=>JNC>EDFGADOJDCJBPFDGEDJ

LW\N6PQ6\MX6iM\WZR6IVMaMRN\ ;A

KAFFJ7EJ>DE

0

?

=

JQ6YjYWVY`VM[6UVMY\M6UOPjW]M6NbM ]cL6NP6NbM6TM`\WNM6M\NY`VW\bM] QPO6NbM6UOPUP\M]6\XbPPV6PO M^W\NWRZ6M][XYNWPR6XPOUPOYNWPRg

FEFDDADOJGAIE*JDEH=BEHJF7

PQRSRTUVWaRbQVWcdbeQWfeghbijQU

NGDGEDDEGJ;6>FCDEDJIF3JDCGJ>CDGJGPAEDJGPEJ>CDGFFJ=

LETTER OF INTENT TO APPLY Charter School of the Arts

I. Applicant Group Information:

a. Applicant Group: See attachment- Table I See attachments- Attachment 5a. New Applicant and Prospective School Trustee Background Information Form. Resume or Curriculum Vtae. Education Credentials.

b. Public Contact: Shirley Wagstaff swagstaf60 @hot mai l. com

c. Applicationllistory: Not applicable.

II. Proposed Charter School Information:

a. Proposed school name: Charter School of the Arts

b. Proposed school mission statement: To provide a rigorous academic and artistic education to all students, but especially the

diverse economically disadvantaged student population of the City of Buffalo, whose families cannot afford private academic enrichment programs, or private arts classes. So that they are prepare{ to successfully pursue a higher education, andlor a career in the arts. Helping our students to become lifelong learners, and productive members of society.

c. Proposed school location: Buffalo School District. The school will be housed in a leased facility, which is reflected

in the budget. We are actively looking at available buildings, our first preference is a vacant school, which would require less modifications to the building to bring it into compliance with the school's needs. We are also looking at move-in ready leased space in an office building that could accommodate our needs. Our decision will be based on availability and economic feasibility, at the time of the charter's approval. The school will provide busing through the School Districts, to make it accessible to all students.

d. Thrget population/community served: The Charter School of the Arts target population will be the diverse, and economically

disadvantaged students of the City of Buffalo. The school will be located in the Buffalo School District. The Buffalo School district services 3I,203 students, of which approximately 82Yo are economically disadvantaged, whose families cannot afford private academic enrichment programs, and artistic classes (data.nysed.gov/enrollment). The School district has 60 schools, with only one elementary(k-2), and one middle/high school visual and performing arts focused schools (5-I2)(wwwbuffaloschools.org) Of the 31,203 students, there are approximately 3,000 presently on a charter school wait list (https://buffalonews.com/2017). Our school will provide both a rigorous academic, and artistic curriculum, which will provide students skills to pursue a college education, and,lor a career in the arts so that they may rise from the depths of poverty. I

https://buffalonews.com/2017http:wwwbuffaloschools.org

e. Planned grades and enrollment:

Proi ected Enrollment Thble th Charter TIermable over the Grades Ages 2020-21 2A2t-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25

K 4-5 JZ JZ JZ JZ 32 Irt 5-6 JZ JZ JZ JL 2''d 6-7 JZ JL JZ JZ JZ

3",1 7-8 32 JZ 32 JZ

4th 8-9 a^JZ JZ 32 32 JZ

5th 9-10 JZ JZ 32 JZ

6th 10-1 1 tz JZ JZ 7th

gth

gth

1Oth

11th

L2rh

Ungraded

Totals 96 192 224 224 224 Proposed management and/or partner organization(s):

Not applicable.

g. Replication: Not applicable.

h. School overview:

Educational model:

*Charter School of the Arts is inspired by, and modeled after the Genesee CommunityCharter School (CTCCS) located in Rochester, NY, with additional focus on the visual and performingarts' GCCS is a high performing charter school. It serves as a mentor school for the EL Education Organizatton (http.//www.gccschool.org). GCCS has generously provided us with opportunities for several site visits, observations, recommendations, sharing of resources and infor111ution, introductions to the EL Education representative, and one-on-one conversations with members of the administration,stafl teachers, and students. EL Education provides the foundation for a strong caring school culture,which fosters enthusiasm and purpose, for students to positively engage in thelearning process. It provides the tools needed for strong school leadership, school structure, curriculum, coaching,mentorship, assessment tools, best practices, staffdevelopment, and to develop and build rp-on u strong foundation of academic rigor, intensive visual and performing arts training, and through in-depthlearning expeditions. The Nonprofit EL Education organiiation p.ouid.r ,upport to a

,)

http:http.//www.gccschool.org

diverse student population of over 50,000 students, rn T52 schools, in 30 states across the country (hfips.//eleducation.org). The EL Education representative has been most helpful in advising in the selection ofresources and pricing packages.

xAdditional curriculum development will be a collaborative effort between the school leadership, and both the academic and arts teachers, using the EL Education assessment based arts-integrated curriculum as a foundation. Our curriculum will also focus on aspects history to include the environment, politics, and the economy. There will be three rigorous learning cycles per year, intertwining history science, EL{ math, and the afts, to provide a powerful educational foundation for our students when they pursue a higher education.

There will be extended class periods, so that the teacher and students can have more time to delve into ELA, math, and the arts. K-5 will focus on 6 time periods per 2 year looping cycles, 3 per year. 6ft graders will spend their year focusing on a current community issue through investigation, recommending solutions to the problem which will be presented to the school, family members, and community leaders as a final project.

Students will venture out into the community for learning expeditions/field studies, to not only experience new people, places, and things to broaden the learning experience, but they would be expected to take notes, and study the subject matter. This information will be included at the end of a cycle during a presentation. Learning expeditions/field studies will broaden a student's knowledge base, understanding, and appreciation of the world around them. The knowledge that students acquire during a learning cycle is interwoven into a final project to be presented to the school, families, and members of the community at the end of each learning cycle. Art will be integrated into the academic program. Examples of the final project may be a play about a specific time period in history or students creating 3D models of a location in the community.

*The visual and performing arts-integration, combined with a rigorous academic curriculum, is crucial to the creation and support of an engaging school culture, team worlg creative awareness, creative problem solving, and student and parent engagement in the learning procqss. The arts program will include dance, visual arts, and music. There will be extended class periods, so that the teacher and students can have more time to delve into that particular art form. The school will collaborate with the Theatre of Youth for workshops, so that teachers can learn how to better integrate art with academics. The use of teaching artists, guest lectures, visits to visual and performing arts organizatrons and performances, will allow students to experience a whole new world of the arts. Students will integrate their afts training with their academic knowledge to produce a end of cycle project presentation, to show their fellow school mates, parents, and the community at large what they have learned. The school will have open enrollment, without admissions testing, or a competitive audition selection process. The goal is to prepare students to be able to successfully compete for the limited seats that are available for the middle/high school visual and performing arts school in Buffalo, and ultimately successful pursue a college education, andlor a career in the arts. Elementary school #61 Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction (k-2) has an admissions test requirement. Auditions are required for PS #I92Buffalo Academy for Vsual & Performing Arts (5-I2). There is no visual & performing arts school for grades 3 and 4 in the Buffalo School District (www.buffaloschools.org).

*Looping (teachers and students stay together for more than one year) for grades k-1, 2-3, 4-5. This allows for the time that is normally used to meet and adjust to a new teacher, classmates, and expectations each year, can be better used as learning time. Looping encourages2"d year increased learning time, reduced absences, teamwork, and a positive classroom and school culture (Cistone, P. J. (Spring, 2004).International Journal of Educational Policy, Research, & Practice, Volume 5, Number l). Grade 6 will be stand alone in order to acclimate students to switching classrooms, improve their research skills, and to work well as a team or independently.

http:www.buffaloschools.orghttp:hfips.//eleducation.org

*There will be 2 teachers and 1 teaching assistant per class of up to 32 students, which will create a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. This ratio allows teachers the flexibility to better assess. encourage, and address the needs ofall students.

III. Enrollment and Retention Strategies: a. Describe the school's strategies to recruit and enroll its students, especially:

I. Those identified in the school's mission; Our target student population is the diverse economically disadvantaged student population of Buffalo, to include: students with disabilities, and English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners. Our goal is to provide academic rigor and artistic training, so that all students will be prepared to pursue higher education, andlor a career in the arts, so that they can become productive members of society. we will recruit by using multiple venues such as, but not limited to: newspapers, internet, radio, billboards, information sessions, information fliers, community forums, and various community organizations.

II. Students with disabilities; additional recruitment strategies- work with agencies that provide services to students with disabilities such, as, but not limited to: Baker Vctory Services, Aspire's center for Learning, ARC Erie county, Buffalo Hearing and Speech, and cantalician center. 23%o of BpS students have disabilities (data.nysed.gov/enrollment).

III. Multilingual Learners/English Language Learners (MLLIF,LL); additional recruitment strategies- work with agencies that provide services to English language learners/ multilingual learners such as, but not limited to: the International Institute of Buffalo (provides translating and interpreting services), Journey's End Refugee Services, catholic Services, vve Shelter, and Jericho Road Community Health Services. Translate Website, and informational material into other languages. The 201 8-2019 BPS top 7 languages spoken by MLLs are: Spanish, Arabic, Karen, Somali, Burmese, Swahili, Nepali. r8% of BpS students ar e MLLIELL (data. nysed. gov/enroll ment).

IV. Economically disadvantaged students; additional recruitment strategies- work with agencies that provide services to students and their families -i'o ur. economically disadvantaged such as but not limited to: The wNy Food Bank, Food pantries, Catholic Charities, Homeless Shelters, Income based housing, and the Erie County Department of Social Services. B2%o of BpS students are economi cally di sadvantaged (data. nysed. gov/enroll ment).

b. Describe the school's strategies to retain its students, specifically:I. Those identified in the school's mission; ourtarget student population is the

diverse economically disadvantaged student population of Buffalo, to include. students with disabilities, and English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners. Our goal is to retain students by providing academic rigor and artistic training to develop a love of learning, create a school culture of caring and inclusion, provide a high quality and diverse staffwith professional development that addresses the needs ofa diverse student-body, and encourage student and parent engagement. We will seek to create a school culture of caring and inclusion byhaving events for students, their families, and the surrounding communities. We will have project presentation nights and invite student families and members of

the community to view the wonderful work that our students have created during their learning cycles. We will take a holistic approach to addressing the needs and concerns of our students, and their families by providing access to, and/or links to needed services that will enrich our student's lives and learning experience.

II. Students with disabilities; In addition to the above goals we will provide access, and lor links to additional Special Education services that may be needed, by contracting out those services to create an inclusive learning environment.

III English Language Learners/\4ultilingual Learners; In addition to the above goals we will provide access, andlor links to needed services that will enrich the learning experience. We will also strive to respect and celebrate our diverse student-body's cultural differences by hosting a Multicultural Night, where students and their families can share food, history, dft, music, dance, and traditions of their individual culture. We will also provide translation and interpreting services when needed, through the International Institute of Buffalo.

IV. Economically disadvantaged students; In addition to the above goals we will provide access, andlor links to needed services that will enrich the learning experience, and increase the quality of life for both the student and their families. We will provide links to services such as: school supplies and uniforms assistance, and a uniform/clothing exchange program will be created to reduce the financial burden of clothing essentials. we will offer free meals to students, and a Backpack and school food pantry program in collaboration with the WNY Food bank, that will provide free food for the students and their families to assist in ensuring that each student's nutritional needs are met. We will also offer an after school program for students, to assist parents with childcare issues.

IV. Public Outreach and Community Support: *See Table 2 a. Public Outreach: Began in March of 2015 and is still ongoing, the Charter School of the Arts

has employed a variety of Public Outreach methods to include, but not limited to: School website, Facebook page, surveys, petitions, emails, letters, newspaper notices, information sessions, flier distributions, attendance at community events, discussions with families and community stakeholders, and other charter schools. The community was informed of the charter school's intended location, target student population, grades and number of students to be served, and a description ofthe school. Information gleaned from surveys and discussions, were used to fine-tune the school to the needs and desires of the community.

b. Community Support: The Charter School for the Arts has received favorable feedback for the type of school we are proposing. From the many positive surveys, petition signatures, letters of suppon, and individual discussions with stakeholders, we are confident that we can fill a void in the educatiort landscape of the City of Buffalo. We have received many enthusiastic responses to the opening of our school, and the interest ofparents to enroll their children in our school. Parents and othei stakeholders view our school model as a welcome addition to the educational options available in the Buffalo School District. Although the Buffalo School district has made great strides in its academic standing, it onlyoffers one elementary (k-2), and one middle/high school (s-I2)visual and performing arts schools.-Vfrth limited available seats in both schools, and none for grades 3 and 4 the economically disadvantaged students do not have the opportunity to receive additional visual and perfoiming arts training because their parents cannot afford private lessons. Because of this, the elementary students are again at a disadvantage when they are required to audition for the limited seats available in the city'smiddle/high school visual and performing arts school. Parents and stakeholders alike believe that our school will provide the foundational visual and performing arts training free of charge to the

s

economically disadvantaged students in the Buffalo School district, and that this training will allow ourstudents to successfully compete for a seat in the middle/high school visual and perforning arts school,and later to go on to college andlor to pursue a career in the arts. Table 2 reflects the extensive community outreach that has been done to date, and that will continue well into the foreseeable future.Samples of public outreach evidence has been included as an attachment.

TUVWXYZ[Y\]]W^_U`aYbcde]Yf`gdchUa^d` CDEFGEHIJ4564567489J:J;FHFGEHIJ4564?67489

@=FD FBGJDAGAB>?JG=BH DFA?GABFBCEJ

KDF>F

9

84

88

87

8

85

8?

8

8~

8

89

74

78

77

7

75

7?

\]]W^_Ua^d`Yi^jadck

HEBGAGOJLEGLEDJFBOJEEEHEDJFGJGLEJC=DDEBGJF>>DACFBGJ>DF=>JLF>DAEHJGFJGLAEBJGLADF>F

Table 2: Public Outreach Information

Date(s) of

Outreach

mm/dd/yy

Target

Stakeholder

Group

Description

of the

Outreach

Location of

Outreach

Input

Obtained

Action

Taken on

Input

Number of

Attendees

3/6/15 Email list Emailed flier Internet



3/11-17/15 Students/famili

es/community

organizations

Ad for

information

events

Challenger

Community

News

3/14/15 Students/famili

es

Information

session

Frank

Merriweather

Library

0


es

Information

session

Crane

Library

There was a

need for

more school

choice

Continued

work on the

application

3


es

Information

session

Niagara

Library

0


es

Information

session

Metrocdc

Community

Center

School

uniforms

eliminate the

issues of

expensive

clothing

Will provide

uniforms for

all students

2

12/23/15 SBA Adviser Advisement

for

Organization

al structure,

community

outreach,

board

development

Small

Business

Administrati

on (SBA)

Develop a

business plan

and strategic

planning,

find a niche

to fill

Created a

business plan

and strategic

plan,

determined

niche

1

12/23/15 Professor School

development

Empire State

College

Recommend

ed further

research on

curriculum

Continued

research

1

2/3/16 SBA Adviser Organization

al planning,

Small

Business

Review of

business plan

Continued

fine tuning

1

community

outreach

Administrati

on (SBA)

and strategic

plan, focus

all plans

3/2/16 School Leader Mentoring-

school

development

and planning

St.

Tabernacle

School of

Excellence

Site visit and

history of

school

Considered

using a

modified

version of

curriculum

1

3/9/16 SBA Adviser Networking Small

Business

Administrati

on (SBA)

Approved

plans,

recommend

political

outreach,

networking

Sent letters

to

community

leaders

1

3/9/16 Community

Leaders

Request for

support 20

Letters

Community

Leaders

Received

letter of

support

1


School

management,

curriculum

development

St.

Tabernacle

School of

Excellence

Class

Observations

Decided

against open

floor plan,

could be

distracting

1


classroom

management

St.

Tabernacle

School of

Excellence

Food

services

researched

BPS food

services vs

catering

1


student

recruitment

St.

Tabernacle

School of

Excellence

Student

recruitment

Word of

mouth- not

effective for

a new school

1


school

funding,

board

development

St.

Tabernacle

School of

Excellence

Graduation

rate, funding,

board

development

ensure that

state

requirements

are met

1


es

Tops Market Distributed

50 fliers


es/community

organizations

Website

Development

Godaddy Research the

advantages

of a website

Included

online survey

22 completed

surveys


es/community

organizations

Event

posting on

over 100

organization

Facebook Received

inquiries for

more

information

Continued to

monitor

posts,

planned new

Facebook

pages

posting

4/26-

5/2//16

Students/famili

es/community

organizations

Ad for

information

sessions

Buffalo

News/ Gusto

section

4/27/16 Tax expert Nonprofit

status

referral

WNY Tax

Advocate

Organization

Discussed

structuring

503c

Received

referral,

researched

the process

1

4/28-

5/4/16

Students/famili

es/community

organizations

Ad for

information

sessions

ArtVoice

Newspaper


es/community

organizations

Event

posting on

over 100

additional

organization

Facebook

pages

Facebook Received

inquiries for

more

information

Responded to

inquiries

3

5/3/16 Executive

Director

Discussed

outreach

efforts

Gloria J.

Parks

Community

Center

Community

outreach, use

of facility

Reached out

to parents of

daycare in

building

1


es

Information

session

Gloria J.

Parks

Community

Center

Inclusion for

special needs

students

Determined

ways to

ensure

inclusion

2


es

Distributed

surveys to

parents of

day care

children

21st Century

Day Care

Need for

child care,

uniforms, no

summer

school

Included

after school

program, no

summer

school

40


es

Distributed

100 fliers

Hamburg

Fairgrounds

A need for

type of

school in

several parts

of WNY

Consider

logistics

busing

6 asked

questions


es

Distributed

fliers 75

Hamburg

Fairgrounds

A need for

busing

Research

transportatio

n options

2 asked

questions


es

Distributed

fliers 20

Antique

World

5/11/16 Students/famili Information Gloria J. Like Will provide 1

es session Parks

Community

Center

uniforms,

concerned

about cost

uniforms and

a uniform

exchange


es/ community

organizations

Ad for

information

sessions

Challenger

Community

News

5/18/16 School leader

and manager of

food services

Meeting

with Vice

Commandant

to discuss

school

development

, nursing,

and food

services

WNY

Maritime

Charter

School

Viewed

kitchen and

cafeteria,

cost

effectiveness,

food options,

storage,

staffing

Depending

on number of

students will

determine if

it would be

too

expensive to

do food in

house

2


es

Information

session

Gloria J.

Parks

Community

Center

0


es

Information

session

Gloria J.

Parks

Community

Center

0

6/9/16 School Leader Board

solicitation

St.

Tabernacle

School of

Excellence

School leader

and husband

agreed to

join

Delivered

documents

for

completion

2


es/ community

organizations

Press release

about

upcoming

information

sessions

Gusto section

of the

Buffalo

News

6/11/16 families Board

solicitation

Phone

canvassing

Request for

board

members

No

volunteers

9


es

Distributed

100

information

flyers

Allentown

Art Festival


es

Information

session

Gloria J.

Parks

Community

Center

0

6/15/16 Community

leaders

Board

solicitation

Phone

canvassing

Request for

board

members

No

volunteers

5


es/community

leadership

Ad for

information

sessions

Challenger

Community

News

6/16/16 Community

leader

Board

solicitation

Phone

canvassing

Request for

board

members

No

volunteers

3

6/17/16 Community

leaders

Board

solicitation

Provided

documents to

prospective

members

Followed up

on document

completion

Withdrew 2


es

Information

Table

Clark

Academy of

Dance

Recital

Requested

surveys to be

completed

Parents do

not want

longer school

year or day

23 surveys

completed


es

Information

Table

Clark

Academy of

Dance

Recital

Request for

signatures of

support

Obtained

signed

support

letters

21 signatures


es

Distributed

fliers/surveys

Juneteenth

Festival

6/21/16 Community

leader

Board

solicitation

Provided

documents to

prospective

members


es

Information

session

Gloria J.

Parks

Community

Center

Requested

surveys to be

completed

Parents do

want after

school

program

29 surveys

completed

6/22/16 All Common

Counsel

members

Email

requests for

support

Email

solicitation

No response 12

6/22/16 Community

leader

Marvin

Blakley-

Minister

Received

support letter

1


es

Distributed

fliers

summer

camp

cookout

Requested

feed back

Much

interest in the

school

35

6/23/16 Families Board

solicitation

Phone

Canvassing

3

6/24/16 Community Board Prospective

leaders solicitation board

member


es

Distributed

fliers/surveys

Buffalo City

Ballet

Performance

Request for

Signatures of

support

21 signatures 21


es

Distributed

fliers/surveys

Italian

Festival

Request for

survey

completion

36 surveys

completed

36

8/16 Students/famili

es

Distributed

fliers/surveys

Elmwood Art

Festival


es

Distributed

fliers and

surveys

Nutcracker

Ballet

performance

Request for

Signatures of

support

17 signatures

7 would

enroll child

17


es

Distributed

fliers and

surveys

Nutcracker

Ballet

performance

Request for

Survey

signatures

28 signatures 28


es

Distributed

fliers and

surveys

Cinderella

Ballet

performance

Request for

Survey

signatures

23 signatures

16 would

enroll child

23


es

Distributed

fliers and

surveys

Cinderella

Ballet

performance

Request for

Survey

signatures

11 signatures

8 would

enroll child

11

10/15/17 Community

Leaders

Solicit for

Support,

board

membership

Mailing No responses

11/3/17 Community

Leader

Application

recommenda

tions

Founding

member of

CSI

Recommend

EL

Education for

curriculum

Researching

EL

Education

1


es

Distributed

fliers and

surveys

Nutcracker

Ballet

performance


es

Distributed

fliers and

surveys

Nutcracker

Ballet

performance

1/5/18 Community

member

Discussed

features of

school, board

membership

Community

member

1/5/18 Students/famili Distributed Tops market

es fliers


es

Distributed

fliers

Julia Boyer

Reinstein

Library

1/13/18 Community

leader

Janitorial

services for

school

Small

Business

owner

Must ensure

all aspects of

janitorial

duties are

addressed

Research:

snow & lawn

care. Inside

cleaning.

repairs

1


es

Information

session

Julia Boyer

Reinstein

Library

0


es

Information

session

Julia Boyer

Reinstein

Library

0


es

Information

session

Julia Boyer

Reinstein

Library

0


es

Information

session

Julia Boyer

Reinstein

Library

0


es

Emailed new

flier

Email list

100

2/8/18 Facility owner Facility

inquiry

letters

Several

vacant

buildings

2/26/18 Representative Board

Development

Training

United Way

of Erie

County

Programing

availability

enroll board

members in

upcoming

course

1


Discussions

New Cedar

Grove

Church

Inquiry about

availability

Follow up

discussions

1


Discussions

New Cedar

Grove

Church

Church may

be able to

accommodat

e

Follow up

discussions

1


Discussions

New Cedar

Grove

Church

Had only 5

or 6 rooms

that are

available

Available

rooms would

not

accommodat

e school

needs

1


Discussions

St. Aloyisus

Church

consider

charter

school to be

competition

for them

Do not

consider

catholic

church

schools bldgs

1


es

Facility

Reservations

fliers

Anna

Reinstein

Memorial

Library

Arrangement

for meeting

room

Reserved

meeting

room,

displayed

fliers

1


es

Information

session

Anna

Reinstein

Memorial

Library

0


es

Information

session

Anna

Reinstein

Memorial

Library

0


es

Information

session

Anna

Reinstein

Memorial

Library

0


es

Information

session

Anna

Reinstein

Memorial

Library

0


es

Information

session

Anna

Reinstein

Memorial

Library

0


es

Information

session

Anna

Reinstein

Memorial

Library

0


es

Website

update

School

website

update

website

Included new

contact info


es

Facebook

page update

Facebook

page


es

Distribute

fliers/surveys

CADA

Recital

Request for

support

20 signed

letters of

support

20


es

Distribute

fliers/surveys

CADA

Recital

Survey

signatures

47 signatures

31 would

enroll child

47


es/community

leaders

Public

meeting

Board of

Education

Concerns

about

multiply job

loss for

district

Gave correct

financial

impact, that

had been

over stated

12/13-

17/18

School Leader Confirm

school site

visit

Genesee

Community

CS

Provided

available

dates

confirmed

site visit

1

12/19/18 School Leader Mentorship

discussions

WNY

Maritime CS

Provided

available

dates

School leader

will follow

up

1

1/2/19 School Leader Mentorship

discussions

WNY

Maritime CS

Dates

provided

Site visit

dates

confirmed

1

01/02/19 Community

members

Board

member

canvassing

Email Request for

volunteers

2 positive

responses

12

1/21-22/19 School Leader Arrange

school site

visit

Renaissance

Academy CS

Provided

available

dates

School leader

will follow

up

1

1/21/19 Community

members

Reviewed

prospective

board

member

resumes

Charity

Strong

None that

would be a

good fit

Will continue

to check site

01/22/19 School Leader

assistant

Arrange

school site

visit

Renaissance

Academy CS

Provided

possible

overnight

accommodati

ons

Assistant will

follow up

1

1/22-23/19 Community

members

Solicit board

members

Board

canvassing

letters

2 inquiries of

interest

Provided

school

information

and

documents

Both

candidates

eventually

declined


& staff

Site

visit/observat

ion

Genesee

Community

CS

Scheduling,

staffing,

curriculum,

school size

Will use

school model

for these

items, reduce

school size

5

2/24/19 Community

members

Board

member

recruitment

YMCA Discussed

the type of

school,

funding

Created and

distributed

school

summary

1

2/25/19 Organization

administrator

Discussion

with

administratio

n

Theatre of

Youth

Age

appropriaten

ess of

various

plays, school

time

performances

Ensure

funding in

budget for

school to

attend school

time

performances

2


es

Information

session

North Park

Library

Discussed

elements of

school

Provide

strong

academics

for college

prep

2

3/2/19 on Families Canvassing Various Inform Verified that 9 would

going locations in

Buffalo

families

about school,

request

consideration

for

enrollment

they had

school age

children

enroll their

children


es

Distribute

fliers/surveys

EOC Locate

school near

train line for

easy access

for parents

without

transportatio

n

Will consider

busing, will

consider

locations

near public

transportatio

n

1 would

enroll their

children

3/4/19 New charter

school

applicant

groups

Information

session

NYSED How to

submit a

successful

application

Will review

and

implement

suggestions

18

3/12/19 New Buffalo

charter school

applicant

groups

New Charter

school

meeting

BuffSci cs Common

application

for

enrollment,

recruitment

Will consider

pooling

resources

with other

new charter

schools

6

3/13/19 Community

members

Board

member

recruitment

YMCA Need for a

CTE charter

school

Will keep

arts focused

curriculum

2

3/14/19 Artistic

Director/Box

Office Manager

Discussion

with

administratio

n

Theatre of

Youth

Teacher

workshop to

combine art

& academics

Can

collaborate

with Theatre

of Youth

3

3/16/19 Students/famili Information North Park College Ensure 3

es session Library readiness strong

academic

foundation

3/19/19 School Leader Mentorship WNY

Maritime

Charter

School

Budgeting Review

budget for

completeness

1

3/19/19 New charter

school

applicant

Phone

conference-

need & cost

analysis

EL

Education

Representati

ve

Recommend

ations for

curriculum &

professional

development

Will review

selection and

pricing

1


& staff

Site

visit/observat

ion

Genesee

Community

CS

Food service

classroom

management

Arts

scheduling

and staffing

Will

duplicate

food service,

classroom

staffing,

maximize

arts schedule

6


& staff

Site

visit/observat

ion

Genesee

Community

CS

Operations,

Social work,

expedition

trips

Need for

social

worker,

expedition

trips are

crucial

7


& Food service

manager

Site visit WNY

Maritime CS

Budget,

staffing,

board

members

Recommend

food service

through BPS,

because of

low student

count.

Contract out

accounting &

legal services

2

3/23/19 Community

Leader

Board

recruiting

Phone

canvassing

Election

year,

controversial

topic

Advised to

contact

politicians

who are not

up for re-

election this

year

1

03/24/19 Community

Leaders

Board

recruiting

Phone

canvassing

Completion

of board

documents

Will resend

documents to

prospective

members

4

03/28/19 Community

Leaders

Board

recruiting

Met at their

establishmen

ts

Reviewed

documents,

discussed

duties

Will review

all

documents

submitted

2

04/01/19 Community

Leader

Request for

support

Community

Leader

Discussed

school details

Received

letter of

support

1

04/02/19 Community

members

Reviewed

prospective

board

member

resumes

Charity

Strong

None that

would be a

good fit

Will continue

to check site


es/community

leaders

Website

update

School

website

Website

update

In progress


es/community

leaders

Facebook

page update

School page page update In progress

04/17/19 New charter

school

applicant

Phone

conference

EL

Education

Representati

ve

Recommend

curriculum &

professional

development

Make final

selections

1

TBD Students/famili

es

Information

session

TBD

TBD School Leader

& staff

Site

visit/observat

ion

Renaissance

Academy cs

Arts

curriculum

Charter School of the Arts www.charterschoolofthearts.com

Mission

Exellence in the arts and academics

About the School

A k-6 school, where passion meets education, creating artistic lifelong learners. The school

will provide exceptional learning opportunites in the arts and academics. The founding members

will submit an application for the establishment of a new public charter school located in Buffalo,

New York, to open in the fall of 2020. The school will focus on providing the City of Buffalo

students, especially those who are economically disadvantaged, with rigorus academics and the

opportunity to receive extensive training in various art forms to enhance their learning experience,

and prepare them for college and/or a career in the arts.

The Charter School of the Arts will offer a more extensive arts program than a regular

school. Students will take various arts classes 5 days a week, several periods a day. This will allow

students to receive much more training in the various art forms, giving them the foundation to

pursue the arts in college and/or professionally. The program will also save parents thousands of

dollars in fees for private classes in dance, music, etc.

Based on historical enrollment data from other public charter schools in the WNY area, in

our first year, 150 students we plan to enroll. At this time there are over 3,000 students in the WNY

area on waitlists for various charter schools.

http:www.charterschoolofthearts.com

March April 2, 2019

New York State Education Department 89Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12234 Attn: Charter School Office

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express support of the Charter School of the Arts for Buffalo, New York.

Our mission is to prepare promising economically disadvantaged underrepresented students

for success in a college preparatory high school and higher education. We will be a school to

help disadvantaged youth take advantage of a first-rate charter preparatory education.

We would collaborate with programs that establishes a strong community effort in educating

our students. Many of the students will be encouraged and participate in programs which

straighten our commitment.

The Charter School of the Arts would be an added benefit to the Charter Schools here in the

Buffalo Area.

Sincerely,

Monyuette Coplin, MBA

*The school’s original name was going to be Academy of Choice Charter School,

but it was changed to better reflect the school’s focus on the arts.

From: ACADEMY OF CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL

Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2016 11:21 AM To:

[email protected] Subject: SURVEY Form submitted on ACADEMY OF

CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL

1. Breakfast is available agree

2. Multiple meal choices agree

3. Approachable teachers and staff agree

4. Clear expectations from teachers agree

5. Concern and respect for students agree

6. Equal treatment of all students agree

7. Challenging and interesting material agree

8. Gym,art, music, dance, technology classes agree

9. Hands on projects relating to material covered agree

10. Field trips and community involvement agree

11. Open door policy of school leaders agree

12. College tours and application assistance agree

14. Sports and clubs agree

15. Tutors and mentors agree

16. Guest speakers of student/parent interest agree

17. School and classroom furnishings agree

18. Diverse make up of educators and staff agree

19. Looping-teacher and students stay together for more than one grade. agree

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

20. Before and or after school child care disagree

21. Saturday classes agree

22. Longer school day agree

23. Internships and Job assistance agree

24. Reduced or free uniforms agree

25. Uniform exchange agree

26. Student banking agree

27. Respect for cultural differences agree

28. Family involvement agree

29. Basic school supplies provided agree

30. Summer reading list agree

31. Summer classes agree

32. Does uniforms reduce distractions agree

33. Does uniforms save families money agree

34. Provide health services agree

35. Special education inclusion when possible agree

36. Offer all grades K thru 12 agree

37. Sibling preference agree

CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

[email protected]

We are proud to announce plans to open a new k-6 charter school,

to be located in Buffalo, NY, in the fall of 2020.

The school will offer an intensive Visual and Performing Arts program, along with a rigorous

arts-infused academic program.

We will be holding information sessions to inform the community about our proposed school.

We will be soliciting feedback to ensure we address the needs of the community.

The following information sessions will be held at:

North Park Branch Library

975 Hertel Ave. Buffalo, NY 14215

Saturday, February 23, 2019, 4-5 pm

Saturday, March 2, 2019, 4-5pm




Saturday, March 30 2019, 4-5pm

Please join us, if you cannot attend feel free to share your input with us at:

[email protected]


The proposed Charter School of theArts, will submit an application to open in Buffalo'in the fall2020.

Mission: To provide excellence in academics and the arts for k-6 students. Provide arts-

integrated learning opportunities that focus on academic rigor, artistic endeavors, and community

involvement for all students. To create lifelong learners, who are prepared for careers in the arts, and/or

and to make lasting contributions to a lobal sociDo youhaveschoolagedchildren

Signatureemail addressllome addressName (pleaseprint)

*The school’s original name was going to be Academy of Choice Charter School,

but it was changed to better reflect the school’s focus on the arts.

From: ACADEMY OF CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL

Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2016 11:21 AM To:

[email protected] Subject: SURVEY Form submitted on ACADEMY OF

CHOICE CHARTER SCHOOL

1. Breakfast is available agree

2. Multiple meal choices agree

3. Approachable teachers and staff agree

4. Clear expectations from teachers agree

5. Concern and respect for students agree

6. Equal treatment of all students agree

7. Challenging and interesting material agree

8. Gym,art, music, dance, technology classes agree

9. Hands on projects relating to material covered agree

10. Field trips and community involvement agree

11. Open door policy of school leaders agree

12. College tours and application assistance agree

14. Sports and clubs agree

15. Tutors and mentors agree

16. Guest speakers of student/parent interest agree

17. School and classroom furnishings agree

18. Diverse make up of educators and staff agree

19. Looping-teacher and students stay together for more than one grade. agree


20. Before and or after school child care disagree

21. Saturday classes agree

22. Longer school day agree

23. Internships and Job assistance agree

24. Reduced or free uniforms agree

25. Uniform exchange agree

26. Student banking agree

27. Respect for cultural differences agree

28. Family involvement agree

29. Basic school supplies provided agree

30. Summer reading list agree

31. Summer classes agree

32. Does uniforms reduce distractions agree

33. Does uniforms save families money agree

34. Provide health services agree

35. Special education inclusion when possible agree

36. Offer all grades K thru 12 agree

37. Sibling preference agree

Structure Bookmarks12324.

Documents

CSA LOI - NYSED · 2019-04-10 · LETTER OF INTENT TO APPLY Charter School of the Arts. I. Applicant Group Information: a. Applicant Group: See attachment- Table . I . See attachments-Attachment